This tarantula from South America is one of the larger types of tarantula and can grow to have a leg span of more than 8 inches. They are a very docile and calm species so many people keep them for pets since they are captive reared. They have long light-colored hairs all over the body and gold stripes on its legs, particularly at the "knees". It is these golden lines that they get their common name from. Young spiders spend the daylight hours in underground burrows but as they get older they prefer a life above ground.Is a tarantula an Insect? No. Remember an insect has 6 legs. Look closely – a spider has 8 legs! It’s an arachnid.